Following a fresh arraignment on Friday, Nnamdi Kanu, the embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), pleaded not guilty to the seven-count terrorism charges brought against him by the federal government.
The arraignment was conducted at the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, amid tight security.
Kanu, dressed in his signature white sports attire, vehemently denied the 7-count charges read out to him, which included threatening Nigeria’s corporate existence and operating an illegal radio station to broadcast Biafra messages.
After entering his plea, the federal government’s counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) informed the court of his preparedness to proceed with the prosecution, aligning with the Supreme Court’s directive for a fresh trial.
Awomolo subsequently requested an adjournment to gather his witnesses and also sought an accelerated hearing, which was approved by the court.
Following the prosecution’s request and without any objections by the defence counsel led by Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN), Justice Omotosho fixed April 29 and May 2 and 6, 2025 for trial.
Persecondnews had reported that Kanu, extradited from Kenya in June 2021, has been in DSS custody by court order, and has also agreed to an expedited trial for the charges against him.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, reassigned his case from Justice Binta Nyako to Justice Omotosho, as stated in a letter dated March 4, 2025, addressed to Kanu’s lead counsel, Mr. Aloy Ejimakor.
The case was reassigned after Kanu and his lawyers requested a transfer of the seven-count terrorism charge to a different judge, citing bias concerns.
Nyako, on September 24, 2024, recused herself from the case and sent the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for re-assignment.
She said she could not proceed with a trial where the defendant, Kanu, had expressed a lack of confidence in her court.
Persecondnews recalls that Justices Ahmed Mohammed and Tsoho initially presided over Nnama Kanu’s trial before it was reassigned to Justice Nyako, following Kanu’s rejection of the two judges.
Notably, Kanu remained calm and composed throughout the re-arraignment proceedings, marking a contrast to his demeanor in previous court appearances.
Additionally, Kanu apologized to the Federal High Court, Justice Binta Nyako, and Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, for his misconduct during the previous trial session on terrorism charges.
He pleaded passionately for forgiveness and promised to be of good conduct throughout the duration of his trial.
Kanu’s apology was contained in a lengthy prepared speech delivered by his lead counsel and former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Agabi.
In the emotion-laden speech, Kanu specifically begged Justice Nyako and Awomolo to forgive and forget his outbursts and attacks against them in the open court.
Agabi said that Kanu had cause to be angry but ought not to have spoken when anger overwhelmed him.
Agabi said: “In expressing his anger, he attacked the federal high court, he attacked Justice Binta Nyako, he attacked the prosecutor and his own lawyers.
“I hereby apologize to Justice Binta Nyako. She did not deserve the unjust attack. I apologize to Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN). He deserves highest respect. He was castigated without reservations.
“I appeal for forgiveness. Kanu is good man but all of us cannot be of one mind. He is not perfect but defending the cause of Igbo people who are resilient, fearless and using their God given talents to give good account of themselves.
“We may have misgivings but we must seek forgiveness. In resolving our differences, let us employ peace and not violence to resolve our differences.”
In a brief statement, Awomolo, expressed being deeply moved by Kanu’s apology and graciously announced that he had forgiven him for his previous remarks against him.
The senior lawyer clarified that his role was that of a prosecutor, not a persecutor, and assured that he was working towards a swift resolution of the charges.
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